I have always been fascinated by the Scandinavian countries and how this region constantly places on top of various ratings, including the happiness of the residents. The trip there was just a question of time for me, and the country of my choice was the one I felt most attracted to, Sverige, or Sweden
Stockholm. Even before my visit, this city meant a lot to me. As a big music fan, I was always fascinated by how many musicians came from here. As a guy who was growing up watching CS tournaments, following NiP and Fnatic, I was amazed by how progressive this city and country is. I was very looking forward to travelling there, and it didn`t disappoint
I have to disclose one thing about me. You probably have already noticed, that I am anything but the conventional traveler. I am a big fan of travelling during “non-touristic” months, namely from November to February, probably March. Not only there are much, much less tourists, but the prices also tend to be lower than during summer, so you can explore more for the same amount of money. Also, I was always fond of cold weather, so it suits me even from this point of view. When saying that I went to Stockholm in late November, many people react: “Whaaat? It`s Nordic winter, what a terrible decision”. Well, it wasn`t that cold actually. It was cold, but not that cold. Moreover, I would recommend anyone to travel there during this season, because it somehow added to the general atmosphere of the city. In my opinion, Paris is best in the rain, Prague during spring, and Stockholm during the “cold” months. I didn`t have my camera with me during my visit to Stockholm, so all the photos were taken on my mobile phone and later retouched. Their quality is not the greatest, but I hope I was able to capture the magical “vibe” of the city. In the end, it is about the person taking the photo, not the camera, right?
Before going there, as always I did my research about what to expect from this trip. And, alongside praising its amazing beauties, almost everyone told the same thing over and over again: “Food and everything are crazy expensive”. “Well, ok”, I thought and went there prepared. And while yes, many things were more expensive, while shopping for food, or even eating out, there wasn`t such a big difference compared to Slovakia or the Czech Republic. While here you can get dinner at a regular place for around 12 euros, there we had it for 14 or 15. Also, in the supermarket, there is such a big variety of things to buy, quite affordable frankly speaking. And, as a tourist, I really appreciated the gigantic amount of frozen or pre-cooked meals, many of which for around 3 euros. As for the supermarket choice, go to Willy`s. Really enjoyed shopping there and the way it is designed. One more thing that was impossible not to notice is the amount of products, especially dairy, produced locally. Almost every package of milk products had the label “Mjölk från Sverige”, and proudly printed Swedish flag. And those products tasted amazing. I am generally not a big milk fan, but I couldn`t resist trying new and new ones, they were just so good.
Sweden is known for being very developed and very progressive. But among other things, it is also a recycling heaven
In Sweden, I was in close contact with locals for some time, and I was blessed to meet amazing people and learn some things, that are so common for them, yet may surprise foreigners. And one of those things is recycling. It is a known fact that Sweden even buys waste from neighbouring countries. But what about their own? Well, it shouldn`t surprise you that all the plastic bottles are being paid a deposit for, and upon their return, you get the deposit back. This is more or less common in European countries already. For example, in Slovakia, we started paying deposits and returning bottles in 2022. Sweden got this system into operation in 1994. And the same system for cans in 1984. I mean, do you have to add something to this information?
But ok, bottles are bottles, what about the waste? Firstly, everything is being separated and recycled. And by everything, I mean everything. I learned that most Swedish buildings have their own space for waste, where residents are supposed to separate. So, I separated mine, the way I am used to do it. And then, locals told me that it can`t be done like that and just threw away everything in a common container. Turns out, their separation is much more advanced than what I did. It goes as far as separating cartons by their thickness, which wouldn`t occur to me in my wildest dreams if they wouldn`t tell and explain that to me. And also, an amazing feature that shows how advanced this country is, in the hallways of the buildings they have a hole, so people can throw away their bio waste without getting outside. Since biowaste tends to smell bad, it is so useful. And seems so obvious really, but I haven`t seen anything like this in any place I have been to. Sweden is truly amazing, and, while may seem strange to you, I believe that such things prove how amazing it is. I don`t really have photos to attach to this section, so, enjoy the views of fabulous Stockholm.
You have probably heard somewhere the word “Lagom”. The translation of it means something like “just the right amount”, balance, and “just enough” philosophy. This is more than a word in Sweden. It is a lifestyle. Japan have Ikigai, Sweden has Lagom. Stockholm is a country where I truly could feel equality, and this balance, in everything. The way they approach consumerism, life-work balance, and personal boundaries, everything was so advanced. It is not something you can put into words really. You have to experience it. I instantly fell in love with Swedish people and their art of enjoying life. Many people tend to say how “cold” people of this region are, and this is such a giant misunderstanding in my opinion. If someone doesn`t instantly hug or kiss you upon the first meeting, it doesn`t mean that they are cold or unfriendly. They just have personal boundaries and know how to work with them. So please, don`t be a victim of this misunderstanding, but judge for yourself. Also, it was so nice to see fathers walking with their kids on their own, playing with them, and, even I could really see how much they cared for them. It is at such moments that I got absolutely sure how progressive not only this country, but the people living there, truly are.
Sweden is amazing, and I have so many more stories to tell about it, that no page would be enough for that. Go there one day. Experience the city. Talk to natives. Open your heart to Sweden and its inhabitants, and you can rest assured that they will open theirs to you
Loved the decorations
Feels like a fairytale, doesn`t it?
Big lover of sunsets
